Method and blank for manufacturing a bent curve element, bent curve element, curve unit comprising a bent curve element and also conveying track

ABSTRACT

Method and blank for manufacturing a curved metal bend element for an endless chain conveying track which comprises a support flange intended to constitute a guide rail for a first side of chain elements forming part of the chain conveying track, and a web from which the said first flange extends, where the said web is intended to provide torsional rigidity in the bend element. The invention also relates to a bend element bend unit and a conveying track manufactured from such a blank.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present patent application relates to a method for manufacturing abent curve element for an endless chain conveying track which comprisesa support flange intended to support a first side of chain elementsforming part of the chain conveying track, and a web from which the saidflange extends, where said web is intended to provide torsional rigidityin the curve element. The present patent application also relates to ablank for manufacturing a bent curve element according to theprecharacterizing portion of Patent claim 7. The present patentapplication also relates to a bent curve element according to theprecharacterizing portion of Patent claim 19, a curve unit according tothe precharacterizing portion of Patent claim 20 and also a conveyingtrack comprising such a bend unit.

In this application, curve element means an element which isself-supporting and has a support surface intended to constitute a guiderail for one side of chain elements forming part of a chain conveyingtrack. Curve unit means a unit comprising a curved guide element fordiverting a chain conveying track from an ingoing direction to anoutgoing direction which is angled in relation to the said ingoingdirection. The invention relates to a curve unit with two curve elementsarranged in a parallel manner and also a bracket which supports thesetwo bend elements.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to make available conveying systems with a two-dimensional orthree-dimensional configuration, diverting stations are required forconveying tracks which are otherwise arranged linearly. A common way ofbringing about diverting stations is to provide an ingoing and anoutgoing linear conveying track, which tracks are partly superimposedwithin the diverting area. When goods are conveyed along the conveyingtrack, the goods are transferred from the ingoing linear conveying trackto the outgoing linear conveying track. In order to bring about the saidtransfer, it is usually necessary to ensure, by raising or lowering oneof the tracks, that the propelling of the goods is transferred from theingoing to the outgoing linear track. With this type of divertingstation, it is difficult to bring about continuous operation through thediverting station, which means that the diverting station can belimiting for the average track speed. Furthermore, in this type ofdiverting station, use is made of quite a number of active components,which makes this type of diverting station expensive to manufacture.Often included are inter alia motorized lifting units, sensors formonitoring the position of the goods in the diverting station and acontrol unit for correct control of the conveying track and liftingunits depending on the position of the goods in the diverting station.

In order to overcome the abovementioned problems, use is therefore madeof curve units comprising a curved guide element for diverting a chainconveying track from an ingoing direction to an outgoing direction whichis angled in relation to the said ingoing direction. One way ofproducing curve units is to use curve elements made from a metal sheetwhich has been bent into the desired track shape and on which a supportflange is firmly welded. The function of the support flange is toconstitute a guide rail for a first side of chain elements forming partof the chain conveying track. The curve element is then assembled toform a curve unit by using a second curve element which has a supportsurface intended to constitute a guide rail for a second side of chainelements forming part of the chain conveying track. The second curveelement can be designed in the same way as the first curve element witha mirror-inverted position of the welded-on flange. Alternatively, thesecond bend element can consist of a rotatably arranged turntable, theperiphery of which is arranged so as to constitute a guide rail for oneside of a chain in the bend unit. A first disadvantage of this type ofbend unit is that extensive welding work is necessary for preparation ofthe bend unit. Apart from the fact that the welding itself istime-consuming, the weld joint gives rise to pores in the weld metal. Inthe event that the bend unit is to be used in installations with a highcleanliness requirement, for example in the food industry, the presenceof pores can give rise to difficulties in cleaning the apparatus, withthe risk of bacteria as a consequence. In order to reduce this risk, theweld joints are usually polished to eliminate the pores. This processstep is also time-consuming and therefore makes the end product moreexpensive.

Another known way of manufacturing bend units is described implicitly byFR 2741053, in which a bend unit with a curved guide track made ofplastic is used. A possible manufacturing method is injection mouldingor extrusion or alternatively moulding of the track.

Furthermore, a bend unit which has a backbone-shaped guide track whichis constructed around a web on which vertebra-shaped projections areformed is described in FR 26 74 513. The guide track is manufactured bymoulding plastic in one piece, or alternatively plastic projectionsbeing mounted on a web made of metal. This bend unit and otherpreviously known bend units have the disadvantages that they arecomplicated to manufacture and that delivery has to take place in theassembled state, which can take up a great deal of space.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing ametal curve element, which curve element can be used in a curve unit fora chain conveying track, where the metal curve element can be suppliedin an essentially plane state, after which it is curved into theintended shape when mounting takes place without finishing in the formof polishing or welding being necessary.

The method also allows effective use of plane metal sheet in relation toprevious methods where a curved flange element is cut out and thenwelded firmly to a curved web. When curved elements are cut out, greatquantities of metal scrap are produced.

This object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a metal curveelement according to claim 1. By providing a plane metal sheet, whichhas a first end piece which is intended to be shaped into a supportflange and a central piece which is intended to constitute a supportingweb, with a set of slots which run from an edge present on the end pieceto the said central piece, bending of the sheet around a main axisextending vertically in relation to the said flange is made possiblewithout the flange taking up pressure or tensile stress, which would bethe case if the flange were solid. The flange will therefore retain itsplane extent in a plane which is arranged essentially at right angles inrelation to the said main axis. The curve element is therefore flexible,for which reason bending of the element can take place in connectionwith mounting without finishing in the form of polishing or weldinghaving to be carried out.

A second object of the invention is to provide a blank for a curveelement which is suitable for use in the said method. This object isachieved by a blank according to Patent claim 7.

A third object of the invention is to provide a curve element which isformed from such a blank. This object is achieved by a curve elementaccording to claim 19.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a curve unit whichincludes a curve element according to the invention. This object isachieved by a bend unit according to claim 20.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a conveying track whichincludes a bend unit according to the invention. This object is achievedby a conveying track according to claim 24.

Preferred embodiments are described in the subclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will be described in greater detail below with referenceto accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a blank for forming a bent metal curve element,

FIG. 2 shows slots designed according to a first preferred embodimentfor use of the curve element as an outer curve element in a curve unit,

FIG. 3 shows slots designed according to an alternative embodiment foruse of the curve element as an outer curve element in a curve unit,

FIG. 4 shows slots designed according to a first embodiment for use ofthe curve element as an inner curve element in a curve unit,

FIG. 4 a shows slots designed according to a second embodiment for useof the curve element as an inner curve element in a curve unit,

FIG. 4 b shows slots designed according to a third embodiment for use ofthe curve element as an inner curve element in a curve unit,

FIG. 5 shows the blank in FIG. 1 with a bent upper and lower flange,

FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the bent blank shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a curved metal curve element formed from the bent blank inFIG. 5 by bending around a main axis which runs vertically in relationto the longitudinal direction of the blank,

FIG. 8 shows a view from above of an outer bend element,

FIG. 9 shows a view from above of an inner bend element,

FIG. 10 shows a view from above of a curve unit having a first bentouter metal curve element,

FIG. 10 a shows a perspective view of a curve unit comprising an innerand an outer curve element manufactured according to the invention,

FIG. 11 shows a section through the curve unit,

FIG. 12 shows a curve unit with ingoing and outgoing linear unitsmounted on,

FIG. 13 shows a first side of an adapter unit intended to be mountedbetween a linear ingoing or outgoing unit and the curve unit,

FIG. 14 shows a second side of an adapter unit intended to be mountedbetween a linear ingoing or outgoing unit and the curve unit,

FIG. 15 shows diagrammatically a method for manufacturing a bent metalcurve element,

FIG. 16 shows a diagrammatic illustration which at the top shows theconveyor guide for guiding the conveyor chain in the working directionand at the bottom shows the guide for the return direction. The figurealso shows in principle the securing arrangement present between thesaid guides/beams for the beam sides which form part of the guide deviceacting in the working direction,

FIG. 17 shows the arrangement in FIG. 16 more clearly, but withoutconveyor chain links,

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of part of a conveyor according to anembodiment provided with an end piece containing guide wheels,

FIG. 19 shows the arrangement in FIG. 18 sectioned in the longitudinaldirection,

FIG. 20 shows a cross section through a clamping-togetherarrangement/connecting piece in one embodiment thereof, and

FIG. 21 shows an exploded view of the clamping-togetherarrangement/connecting piece in FIG. 20.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 shows a blank 1 for manufacturing a bent metal curve element foran endless chain conveying track. The blank 1 consists of a plane metalsheet with a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T. Themetal sheet has a first end piece 2 and a central piece 3. The first endpiece 2 preferably runs along essentially the entire longitudinaldirection L of the metal sheet, but can be discontinued at its ends 5, 6in the event that the flange 7, which is formed when the end piece 2 isbent along a bending axis 4 which runs between the end piece 2 and thecentral piece 3, is not to extend along the entire length of the sheet.

The end piece 2 has a set of slots 10 which run from an edge 11 of theend piece 2 up to the central piece 3. FIG. 2 shows a slot 10 designedaccording to a first preferred embodiment for use as an outer bendelement in a bend unit. The slot 10 runs from an edge 11 of the endpiece 2 up to the central piece 3. In the example shown, the slot 10diverges continuously towards the edge 11 with an opening angle α. Inthe example shown, the slot forms a V-shaped cut for guiding consecutiveflange elements 12, 13 in towards one another after bending of the endpiece 2 into a flange 7. FIG. 2 shows that the opening angle is the samealong both legs of the V-shaped cut. By virtue of the fact that theslots 10 widen essentially continuously in the direction towards theedge 11, opposite end surfaces 14, 15 present in the slot 10 formsupport surfaces when bending takes place, which run along essentiallythe entire length of each slot 10. FIG. 3 shows an alternativeembodiment of a slot 10 where the slot 10 forms a U-shaped cut forguiding consecutive flange elements 12, 13 in towards one another afterbending of the end piece 2 into a flange 7. Other shapes such asS-shaped or W-shaped slots can of course be used. The support surfaces14, 15 ensure that the correct radius of curvature is obtained when anouter curved metal bend element is formed. A slot 10 which does notdiverge continuously may give rise to point loading when curving takesplace. It is therefore advantageous but not necessary to design theslots so as to diverge continuously with a constant opening angle.

FIG. 4 shows a slot 10 in a blank for use as an inner curve element in acurve unit. In this case, the slot is advantageously formed without anopening angle, the end surfaces 14, 15 essentially bearing against oneanother before bending. In this case, the flange elements 12, 13 arepreferably designed with rounded outer corners 16, 17, which reduces therisk of irregularities in the guide rail the end piece is to form afterfashioning into a flange 7. By virtue of the fact that the end surfaces14, 15 lie as close to one another as possible before the blank 1 iscurved to form a bend element, minimal clearance arises between theconsecutive flange elements 12, 13 after curving.

In order to facilitate bending of the blank 1 along a bending axis 4which runs between the end piece 2 and the central piece 3, the blank 1is designed with a fold indication 18 (FIG. 1) along this axis 4. Thefold indication 18 is preferably designed as a discontinuous slit 19running along the bending axis 4. The discontinuous slit 19 isinterrupted by web elements 20 which connect the flange elements 12, 13of the flange 7 to the central piece 3. The slots 10 run up to the saiddiscontinuous slit 19. At least one web element 20 is located betweeneach pair of slots 10 for bearing a respective flange element 12, 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the central piece 3 is furthermoredesigned with cutouts 21 in pairs, which together delimit a fasteningplate 22. The fastening plate 22 is connected to the material of thecentral piece 3 via an upper and a lower, second web element 23, 24,which elements are positioned where the ends 25-28 of the said cutouts21 in pairs meet. The extent of the upper and the lower web elements 23,24 in the longitudinal direction L of the blank is considerably smallerthan the extent of the fastening plate at its widest part. This resultsin only a fraction of the bending torque being transmitted when theblank is curved, the fastening plate 22 remaining essentially planeafter bending. The upper and the lower web elements 23, 24 arepositioned essentially vertically in relation to one another. This toocontributes to minimizing the torque transmitted.

The embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 furthermore comprises a central piece3 which has an upper and a lower longitudinal band-shaped structure 29,30, which structures are connected by crosspieces 31. A partly open area32 is formed between the crosspieces 31. The openness contributes to thefinished bend unit being easy to clean. In order to prevent risk ofpinching, these openings 32 are partly covered by cover elements 33which are connected to at least one of the said longitudinal band-shapedstructures 29, 30 and/or the said crosspieces 31 by a set of third webelements 34. This construction means that the cover elements 33 do notcontribute greatly to the torsional rigidity of the blank 1 around anaxis of rotation parallel to the transverse direction T, it beingpossible for the torsional rigidity around an axis of rotation parallelto the transverse direction T to be designed more homogeneously alongthe longitudinal axis L. Homogeneous torsional rigidity contributes tothe radius of curvature being the same along the entire bend element.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also has a second end piece 35 which isintended to form a second flange.

FIG. 4 a shows slots 10 designed according to a second embodiment foruse of the bend element as an inner bend element in a bend unit. Theslot 10 forms projections 12 a, 12 b, 13 c located on consecutivelyfollowing flange elements 12, 13 separated by the slot 10. Theprojections 12 a, 12 b, 13 c engage in one another by virtue of the slotforming an overlapping area 301, whereat opposite end surfaces 302, 303present in the slot being arranged so as to bear against one anotherafter rotation around the second axis of rotation 41.

The projections 12 a, 12 b, 13 c shown in FIG. 4 a are designed as apin-shaped projection 304 on a first flange element 13, which extendsessentially in the longitudinal direction of the flange 7 betweenprojections 305, 306 on a second, consecutively following flange element12, which extend on either side of the pin-shaped projection 304.According to a preferred embodiment, on an upper surface 307 of thepin-shaped projection facing away from the web 3, the slot 10 divergescontinuously with an opening angle α in the direction towards thefollowing flange element 12, which is shown in the inset enlargement. Inthis way, the upper surface 307 of the pin-shaped projection will, afterbending, bear against the inner surface 308 of the outer projection 305of the following flange element 12, which surfaces thus form supportsurfaces for bringing about controlled bending of the blank.

The upper surface 307 and the inner surface 308 can have a toothing 309in order to bring about increased friction when bending takes place andin this way better control of the curving operation.

In the same way, on a lower surface 310 of the pin-shaped projectionfacing towards the web 3, the slot 10 diverges continuously with anopening angle α in the direction away from the following flange element12. In this way, the lower surface 310 of the pin-shaped projectionwill, after curving, bear against the outer surface 311 of the innerprojection 306 of the following flange element 12, which surfaces thusform support surfaces for bringing about controlled curving of theblank.

In FIG. 4 b, the slot forms hook-shaped projections 12 a, 13 a whichengage in one another after rotation around the second axis of rotation41.

FIG. 5 shows the blank in FIG. 1 with a bent upper flange 7 and lowerflange 36 in a perspective illustration. FIG. 6 shows a cross sectionthrough the bent blank shown in FIG. 5. The figures show an upper and alower flange 7, 36, which flanges are formed by the first and,respectively, the second end piece 2, 35. The upper and lower flanges 7,36 are borne by a web 8 formed by the central piece 3. The flanges 7, 36are connected to the web 8 via a first and a second transition area 9,38. The transition areas are formed in the boundary between the centralpiece 3 and the end areas 2, 35. In the embodiment shown, the transitionarea consists of the webs 20.

FIG. 7 shows a bent metal curve element 40 which is made from a blank 1as described above. The curve element 40 comprises a web 8 which bears afirst, upper projecting flange 7 and where appropriate a second, lowerprojecting flange 36. The curve element is bent around a main axis 41which is arranged parallel to the transverse direction T of the blank 1.In the example shown, the flanges are directed in towards the centre ofcurvature of the curve element 40, which means that the curve element isarranged so as to serve as an outer curve element in a curve unit.

FIG. 8 shows a view from above of an outer curve element 40. The figureshows that the support surfaces 14, 15 essentially bear against oneanother and that two consecutive flange elements 12, 13 are angled at anangle α corresponding to the previous continuous opening angle in theslot 10. The figure also shows how the flange elements 12, 13 are joinedto the web 8 via bent webs 20 and also the discontinuous slit 19 runningbetween the webs 20.

FIG. 9 shows a view from above of an inner curve element 40. The figureshows that the support surfaces 14, 15 have diverged from one anotherand now have an opening angle α instead of essentially bearing againstone another as before curving. The figure also shows that twoconsecutive flange elements 12, 13 are angled at an angle αcorresponding to the current opening angle α. The figure also shows howthe flange elements 12, 13 are joined to the web 8 via curved webs 20and also the discontinuous slit 19 running between the webs 20.

The curve unit will be described in greater detail in connection withFIGS. 10, 11 and 12. FIG. 10 shows a view from above of a curve unit 50having a first, outer curve element 40. FIG. 11 shows a section throughthe curve unit. FIG. 12 shows a curve unit with ingoing and outgoinglinear units mounted on.

In the embodiment shown, the curve element 40 is designed according towhat was shown in FIG. 7. The curve unit 50 also comprises a secondcurve element 51 which has a second support surface 52 intended toconstitute a guide rail 53 for a second side of chain elements formingpart of the chain conveying track. In the embodiment shown, the secondcurve element is designed as a rotatably suspended disc 54, said secondsupport surface 52 being arranged rotatably. The first, outer curveelement has a curved web 8 which constitutes a part of the lateralsurface of a cylinder and, at its upper and lower end in relation to theaxis of curvature of the web, bears a first, upper flange 7 and asecond, lower flange 36, which flanges are directed radially inwards.The support surface present on the disc 54 is arranged in a plane whichruns through the said upper flange 7. The flange 7 of the first, outerbend element 40 and the support surface 52 of the second, inner bendelement 51 form a curved track 55 which is intended to support and guidea conveying chain (not shown). The outer curve element 40 and the innercurve element 51 are supported by a bracket 56 which consists of a plate57 in the embodiment shown. According to a preferred embodiment, theplate 57 has bent-up projections 58, 59 which have threads 60, 61 forattachment to the first and the second bend element 40, 51. According toa preferred embodiment, the rotatably suspended disc 54 of the secondcurve element 51 is suspended rotatably in a sleeve 62 which issupported by the said bracket 56. The disc can preferably be mounted bymeans of roller or sliding bearings 63. In the embodiment shown, thecurve unit 50 bears a second rotatably arranged disc 64 which isarranged so as to interact with the lower flange 36 of the outer curveelement 40.

The curve unit 50 also bears docking means 65, 66 intended to be coupledtogether with ingoing and, respectively, outgoing linear units 67, 68(FIG. 12). The docking means 65, 66 have bracket elements 68, 69 whichare supported by the stand 56. In the illustrative embodiment shown, thebracket elements consist of a fork-shaped sheet-metal piece which has afirst end which is attached to the bracket 56 and a second end whichconsists of two flange elements 71, 72 which run essentially parallel tothe tangent of the track 55 at the transition to the linear units 67,68. The flange elements 71, 72 are inclined in relation to one anotherand have surface normals 73, 74 which are directed towards one another,a support for a beam element 75, 76 having an essentially V-shaped crosssection being formed. The flange elements 71, 72 have a set of cuppedrecesses 77 which are intended to fit against lead-throughs in the beamelements 75, 76. The lead-throughs of the beam elements have a largerdiameter than corresponding lead-throughs 78 of the cupped recesses 77.When assembly is carried out, a conical guiding-in of the beam web inrelation to the cup-shaped recesses takes place, bringing about fixing.An adapter element 79 is arranged between the beam elements and thefirst, outer curve element 40 and the second, inner curve element 51 ofthe curve unit 50. The adapter element links the tracks 80 of the linearunits 67, 68 together with the track 55 of the curve unit 50.

FIG. 10 a shows a perspective view of a bend unit comprising an innerand an outer curve element manufactured according to the invention. Theouter curve element 40 consists of a bent metal curve element asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 7. The curve element 40therefore has a first support flange 7 which extends from a web 8 of thebent metal curve element 40.

There is also a parallel-mounted second curve element 34 which comprisesa second support flange 37 intended to constitute a guide rail for asecond side 211 d of chain elements 211 forming part of the chainconveying track, and also a second web 38 from which the said secondsupport flange 37 extends, where the said second support flange 37 has aset of slots 10 which run from an edge 11 present on the second flangeto the said second web. The first curve element 40 has a convexly curvedweb with the said first flange 7 facing towards a centre of curvature ofthe said first web. The second curve element 34 has a web 38 which ismounted parallel to the said first web 8 and also a second flange 37which faces towards the first flange 7, the said first and secondflanges forming a track 55 for chain elements forming part of the saidchain conveying track. The curve unit 50 also has an adapter unit 79mounted on each end. The adapter unit is described in greater detailbelow. The curve unit also comprises docking means 65, 66.

FIG. 13 shows the adapter unit 79 in detail. The adapter unit 79 has afirst essentially plane surface 81 which is intended to be mountedagainst a linear unit 67, 68. Arranged in the plane surface 81 is anessentially W-shaped cutout 82, the outer flanks 83, 84 of which areintended to be connected to a beam element 75, 76. The central portionin the W-shaped cutout consists of a projection 85 having a slot 86arranged for receiving and fixing an elongate element 219 (FIGS. 16,17). The first plane surface 81 has on its opposite side a second,essentially rectangular cutout 87. Arranged around the rectangularcutout 87 is a set of projections 88 which are arranged so as to beconnected to a guide device 217 for a return track.

FIG. 14 shows the opposite side of the adapter unit, which is intendedto be mounted inside against the curve unit 50. On this side, theadapter unit has a projection 89 which is intended to constitute thecontinuation of an ingoing or outgoing track 80 in towards the second,inner curve element 51. For this reason, the projection 89 has a supportsurface 90 which is formed in the same plane as the support surface 52of the second, inner curve element. The support surface 90 is formedbetween a first, linear edge portion 91 and a second, curved edgeportion 92. The curved edge portion 92 is intended to lie adjacent tothe rotatably suspended disc 54. A second projection 93 is formed on theside facing towards the bend unit. This projection is intended to befitted into a corresponding recess in the bracket 56 of the curve unit.The projection 93 is designed to be somewhat smaller than thecorresponding recess, which means that the adapter unit is attached withsome play. The adapter unit is fixed, however, when the linear units aremounted. This play gives rise to a certain tolerance when assembly takesplace.

FIG. 15 shows diagrammatically a method for manufacturing a curved metalbend element 40. In a first process step 100, a blank 1 is provided,which consists of a plane metal sheet which is provided with slots 10 inone or both end piece(s) 2, 35 for forming flanges 7, 36. In the eventthat the curve element 40 is to constitute an outer curve element, theslots 10 are preferably shaped so as to diverge continuously whereas, inthe event that the curve element 40 is to constitute an inner curveelement, the slots 1 b are preferably shaped so that end surfaces 14, 15present in the slots essentially touch one another. Furthermore, whereappropriate, a fold indication 18 is included for each end piece 2, 35for forming the flanges 7, 36. The fold indications 18 can preferably bedesigned as longitudinal slits 19 which are interrupted by web elements20 which bear flange elements 12, 13. Moreover, cutouts can be includedto form open areas 32 and also to form fastening plates 22. The saidslots, slits and openings are suitably formed by laser-machining themetal sheet, but can also be produced by punching the metal sheet.

In a second process step 110, the first end piece 2 is bent along afirst axis of rotation 4 which runs along the said first end piece, and,where appropriate, the second end piece 35 is also bent along a secondaxis of rotation 39, to form a first flange 7 and, where appropriate, asecond flange 36 as well. The bending is suitably carried out using asheet-metal press.

In a third process step 120, the finished curve element is formed bybending the said web around a second axis of rotation 41 which runsparallel to the plane of the web and vertically in relation to the saidfirst axis of rotation 4, 39, the said slots 10 being opened or closeddepending on the direction of rotation. In an advantageous embodiment,the slots 10 have end surfaces 14, 15 which are designed so as to formsupport surfaces against one another when bending around the said secondaxis of rotation 41 takes place, an intended curvature along the entirelength of the metal sheet being obtained.

Owing to the presence of the slots 10, a relatively low moment isrequired in order to bring about bending around the second axis ofrotation 41. This means that the bending can be effected by manualpower. In the event that an outer curve element is being formed, supportsurfaces 14, 15 formed on the slots will be applied against one anotherduring the bending. The design of the slots therefore determines thelocal radius of curvature along the longitudinal axis of the blank. Thismeans that it is possible to achieve good shape reproduction by bendingby hand. In an especially preferred embodiment, the slots 10 of theblank 1 widen in the direction towards the edge 11 of the blank with acontinuous opening angle, which means that the end surfaces 14, 15 bearagainst one another along their entire length in the final stage ofbending.

FIGS. 16-21 show diagrammatically a conveying device where a curve unitaccording to the above description can be used as an intermediatestation. A conveyor for light goods, for example food products packed inconsumer packs, will therefore be described below, comprising an endlessconveyor chain 211, a bearing first guide device 210 for guiding theconveyor chain in a working direction with goods on the conveyor chainintended for positioning, a second guide device 217 for guiding theconveyor chain in the return direction, and a guide wheel device 220 atboth ends of the first and second guide devices, where a curve unit 50as described above is used. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing guidedevice comprises a pair of parallel elongate plate-shaped elementsserving as beam sides 210 a, 210 b. The beam sides form a space betweenthem which, at least partly, tapers in the direction towards the secondguide device 217. Furthermore, at least one first element 212 a withexterior shaping corresponding to the said tapering space bears directlyor indirectly against the inside surfaces of the beam sides 210 a, 210b, and at least one second element 212 b surrounds the said firstelement 212 a at least partly in a shape-adapted manner and, between itand the first element, receives the pair of beam sides 210 a, 210 b.Moreover, a fastening element 213 is arranged essentially at rightangles to the plane bearing the conveyor chain of the first guide devicein order to clamp the first and second elements 212 a, 212 b togetherand secure the beam sides 210 a, 210 b located in between.

FIG. 16 shows in principle a section of the construction of an endlesschain conveying track 200 comprising the working track and the returntrack in a conveyor provided with an endless conveyor chain consistingof chain links.

Beam sides 210 a, 210 b, made of stainless steel in the illustrativeembodiment shown and of a given standardized length or a length tailoredto a given application, constitute the bearing parts in a guide device210 for the loadable, working part of the conveyor, that is to say thepart on which the goods, for example food products, for example milk,packed in consumer packs, are conveyed.

Chain links 211 forming an endless conveyor lie on sliding strips 210 c,210 d. The chain links are in principle of the type which have greatrelative flexibility in the interconnected state and between them formthrough-openings or passages. Each chain link 211 has a pair ofrod-shaped pins 211 a, 211 b which, in the upper guide device 210, liebelow and run under the sliding strips 210 c, 210 d. The chain link hasa first side 211 c and a second side 211 d which bear against respectivesupport flanges 210 e, 210 f which bear sliding strips 210 c and 210 d.

The beam sides 210 a, 210 b forming part of the upper guide device 210have, seen in FIG. 16, an upper essentially vertical portion 210 a′, 210b′, a relatively steeply inclined portion 210 a″, 210 b″ following thisin towards the centre, and a relatively less steeply inclined endportion 210 a′″, 210 b′″. All these portions are plane and merge withone another without forming any dirt-collecting corners.

In order to hold the beam sides 210 a, 210 b in the position shown inFIG. 16, one or more connecting piece(s) 212 is or are present,depending on the length of the beam sides. The connecting piece 212 inFIG. 16 can be installed in the desired position along the beam sides210 a, 210 b without the need for hole-punching in the beam sides andcan also be used for joining adjacent beam sides.

The connecting piece 212 comprises a first element 212 a of essentiallywedge-shaped exterior shape in the portions 212 a′, 212 a″ with, seen inFIG. 16, cone or inclination angles corresponding essentially to thecone or inclination angles of the inclined beam side portions 210 a″,210 a′″.

The connecting piece 212 also comprises a second element 212 b of the“female type” with a recess facing towards the element 212 a, with ashaping essentially complementary to the said exterior shape of theelement 212 a.

The outer design of the first element 212 a of the connecting piece,that is to say the shaping seen from the working chain strand, isrounded in a gently inclined way without corners. The correspondingouter design of the second element 212 b of the connecting piececomprises only smooth, essentially vertical surfaces.

The two elements 212 a, 212 b of the connecting piece 212 together forma unit which, in the mounted state of the beam sides, constitutes aself-draining connecting piece, that is to say a connecting piecewithout dirt-collecting corners and which, together with the beam sides210 a, 210 b designed in the way described and leaving between them adrainage gap, provides a self-draining guide device for the working partof the conveyor.

According to what can be seen in principle in FIG. 16, a fasteningelement 213, in the form of a clamping bolt, extending vertically andcentrally through the elements 212 a and 212 b of the connecting pieceis present. By means of this clamping bolt, the elements 212 a, 212 bare clamped together, and they secure between them, with wedge action,the beam sides 210 a, 210 b. The fastening element 213 therefore acts ina direction at right angles to the plane of the working chain strand. Inthe embodiment shown, a seal 214 is included between interactingsurfaces 210 a″, 212 a′; 210 b″, 212 a′ and 210 a′″, 212 a″; 210 b′″,212 a″ on the respective beam side 210 a, 210 b and the element 212 a.The seal element 214 also extends over the lower horizontal portion ofthe element 212 a in FIG. 16.

With the embodiment described of the beam sides 210 a, 210 b and theconnecting piece 212, the beam sides forming the working chain guide aretherefore secured, leaving, as can be seen from FIG. 16, a gap 215between the lower longitudinal edges of the beam sides in the figure.

Between the beam sides 210 a, 210 b, a space which tapers in thedirection towards the gap 215 and is in principle wedge-shaped withplane inclined surfaces is formed, where any spillage from the producton the working part of the chain 211 can flow unhindered from the chaintowards the gap 215. This gap 215 is interrupted only by, depending onthe embodiment, one or more connecting piece(s) 212 which, as mentionedpreviously, is or are nevertheless of self-draining design and thusprovide the beam construction as a whole with a self-draining feature inspite of the presence of these connecting pieces.

The second element 212 b of the connecting piece 212 has at the bottom apair of bracket-like holders 216, which, in the illustrative embodimentshown, are manufactured separately and screwed firmly into the element212 b. Supported in these holders 216 is a second chain guide device inthe form of a return beam 217 for guiding and supporting the conveyorchain in the return direction. This return beam is in principleU-shaped, and the outside of its base part 217 a faces towards the gap215. The pins 211 a, 211 b of the chain links slide on the inwardlydirected flanges 217 b of the return beam 217. The return beam thusscreens the underside of the conveyor chain from any contaminationoriginating from spillage coming out through the gap 215.

As shown in principle in FIG. 16, two small pins 218 (only one of whichis visible in the figure) are present centrally on the element 212 a ofthe connecting piece 212 close to the lower plane portion of the element212 a. These pins 218 are oriented in the longitudinal direction of thebeam sides 210 a, 210 b and are intended to support an elongate element219, in the embodiment a tube of relatively small diameter, betweenadjacent connecting pieces 212 or between a connecting piece 212 andanother arrangement along the conveyor, for example an end piece withguide wheels. These elongate elements 219, which in FIG. 16 lie abovethe gap 215, reduce the gap width seen from below in the figure butleave, adjacent to the respective connecting piece 212 and along theentire gap between the connecting pieces or equivalent, a continuousflow-friendly passage for impurities and of course the cleaning agentwhich may be used, for example water under pressure or water vapour.

The elongate element 219 serves as protection against fingers or thelike being inserted into the interior of the space between the beamsides.

Having described the construction in principle of the load-bearing guidedevice 210 of the conveyor, its return beam guide device 217 and itsconnecting piece 212, reference is now made to FIGS. 17-21 for furtherexplanation of the construction.

FIG. 17 corresponds in principle to FIG. 16, with the sole differencethat the chain links are omitted and that FIG. 17 was originallyproduced using a black/white cad technique. The illustration in FIG. 16was produced using colour cad and shows somewhat more clearly the gentlyrounded, self-draining shape of the wedge-shaped element 212 a of theconnecting piece.

FIG. 18 shows two beam side lengths 210 a, 210 b joined by means of theconnecting piece 212, and also a chain turning piece 220 at one end ofthe conveyor. At the other end of the conveyor, there is a correspondingturning piece which, like a conveyor stand, has not been shown in thefigures. It will already have become clear from the description thatsuch a stand is normally provided in order to support the chain strands,the working strand and the return strand, in a horizontal plane.

It can be seen clearly from FIG. 18 that the return beam 217, that is tosay the beam screening the underside of the chain from contamination,has the same extent in the longitudinal direction as the beam sides 210a, 210 b.

FIG. 18 also shows a guide wheel 221 (another such wheel is present inthe enclosed part). The pins 211 a, 211 b on the chain links engage inrecesses in these guide wheels. The conveyor chain is usually driven atone of its ends by virtue of guide wheels being provided with a drivingaxle.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal section centrally through the arrangement inFIG. 18 and illustrates clearly the components/elements described inconnection with FIG. 1. It can be seen, for example, that the element219 providing protection against fingers or the like being insertedextends all the way to the end piece and adjoins it.

FIG. 20, together with FIG. 21, illustrates in detail the constructionof a connecting piece according to the invention.

It can be seen from FIG. 21, for example, that the brackets 216supporting the return beam are manufactured separately and can beinserted into complementary recesses in the element 212 b. The bracketsare fastened by bolts 222 which are driven into square nuts 223 whichare retained inside corresponding recesses in the element 212 b.

A further square nut 224 is shown, and the purpose of this is to belocated inside the opening 225 so as, with a bolt, to support a verticalpost serving as a support in a rail along the working strand of theconveyor.

The clamping bolt 213 shown in FIG. 16 and discussed in connectiontherewith has a corresponding square nut 226.

In the introduction, and in connection with the description of thevarious drawing figures, mention has been made of certain detaileddesigns, including material selection etc. It will nevertheless beunderstood that the inventive idea is not limited to what has thereforebeen indicated by way of example, but the invention is limited only bywhat is indicated in the accompanying patent claims.

1) Method for manufacturing a bent metal curve element (40) for anendless chain conveying track (200) which comprises a support flange (7)intended to constitute a guide rail for a first side (211 a,b) of chainelements (211) forming part of the chain conveying track (200), and aweb (8) from which the said flange (7) extends, where the said web (8)is intended to provide torsional rigidity in the bend element (40),which method comprises the following method steps: providing (100) aplane metal sheet (1), which has a first end piece (2) which is intendedto be shaped into the said flange (7) and a central piece (3) which isintended to constitute the said web (8), where the said first end piece(2) has a set of slots (10) which run from an edge (11) present on theend piece to the said central piece; bending (110) the said first endpiece (2) along a first axis of rotation (4) which runs along the saidfirst end piece (2) to form the said flange (7), and bending (120) thesaid web (8) around a second axis of rotation (41), the said slots beingopened or closed while formation of a curved support flange (7) takesplace. 2) Method for manufacturing a bent metal curve element accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the said slots (10) have end surfaces(14, 15) which are designed so as to form support surfaces against oneanother when bending around the said second axis of rotation (41) takesplace, whereby an intended curvature along the metal sheet (1) beingobtained. 3) Method for manufacturing a bent curve element according toclaim 2, characterized in that said second axis of rotation (41) islocated on the side of the central piece (3) towards which said flange(7) faces, and in that, before bending, said slots (10) widenessentially continuously in the direction towards the said edge (11),whereby said support surfaces (14, 15) extends along essentially theentire length of each slot when bending takes place. 4) Method formanufacturing a bent curve element according to claim 2, characterizedin that said second axis of rotation (41) is located on the oppositeside of the central piece (3) to that which said flange (7) faces, andin that said slots (10) form projections (12 a-c, 13 a-c) located onconsecutively following flange elements (12, 13) which are separated bythe slots (10) and connected to the said web (8) via web elements (20),where said projections (12 a-c, 13 a-c) engage in one another by virtueof the slot forming an overlapping area (301) where said end surfaces(14, 15) bear against one another after bending around the said secondaxis of rotation (41). 5) Method for manufacturing a bent curve elementaccording to claim 4, characterized in that said projections aredesigned as a pin-shaped projection (304) on a first flange element(13), which extends essentially in the direction of the said first axisof rotation (4) between projections (305, 306) on a second,consecutively following flange element (12), which extend on either sideof the pin-shaped projection (304). 6) Method for manufacturing a bentcurve element according to claim 4, characterized in that saidprojections are designed as hooks (312, 313) which engage in one anotherafter bending around the said second axis of rotation. 7) Blank (1) forforming a bent metal curve element (40) for an endless chain conveyingtrack (200) which comprises a support flange (7) intended to constitutea guide rail for a first side (211 c) of chain elements (211) formingpart of the chain conveying track, and a web (8) from which the saidflange (7) extends, where the said web (8) is intended to providetorsional rigidity in the curve element (40), characterized in that theblank (1) consists of a plane metal sheet, which has a first end piece(2) which is intended to be shaped into the said flange (7) and acentral piece (3) which is intended to constitute the said web (8),where said first end piece (2) has a set of slots (10) which run from anedge (11) present on the end piece (2) to the said central piece (3). 8)Blank according to claim 7, characterized in that the said slots (10)widen essentially continuously in the direction towards the said edge(11), whereby opposite end surfaces (14, 15) present in the slot (10)being arranged so as to form support surfaces resting against oneanother when bending takes place, which support surfaces (14, 15) extendalong essentially the entire length of each slot. 9) Blank according toclaim 7, characterized in that said slots (10) form projections (12 a-c,13 a-c) located on consecutively following flange elements (12, 13)separated by the slots (10), where the said projections (12 a-c, 13 a-c)engage in one another by virtue of the slot (10) forming an overlappingarea (301), whereat opposite end surfaces (14, 15) present in the slotbeing arranged so as to bear against one another after bending aroundthe said second axis of rotation. 10) Blank according to claim 9,characterized in that the said projections (12 a-c, 13 a-c) are designedas a pin-shaped projection (304) on a first flange element (13), whichextends essentially in the longitudinal direction of the flange betweenprojections (305, 306) on a second, consecutively following flangeelement, which extend on either side of the pin-shaped projection (304).11) Blank according to claim 9, characterized in that the saidprojections (12 a-b, 13 a-b) are designed as hooks (312, 313) whichengage in one another after rotation around the said second axis ofrotation (41). 12) Blank according to any one of claims 7-11,characterized in that the end piece (2) and the central piece (3) arejoined in a transition area which has a fold indication (18). 13) Blankaccording to claim 12, characterized in that the said fold indication(18) has a set of slits (19) which run along the said transition areaand are interrupted by web elements (20) which connect the flange (7) tothe central piece (3). 14) Blank according to claim 13, characterized inthat the said slots (10) run up to the said slits (19), and in that atleast one web element (20) is located between each pair of slots (10).15) Blank according to any one of claims 7-14, characterized in that thesaid central piece (3) has cutouts (21) in pairs which delimit fasteningplates (22), where the said cutouts (21) in pairs meet one another at anupper and a lower, second web element (23, 24). 16) Blank according toclaim 15, characterized in that the said upper and lower, second webelements (23, 24) are positioned vertically in relation to the said foldindication. 17) Blank according to any one of claims 7-16, characterizedin that the said central piece (3) has an upper and a lower longitudinalband-shaped structure (29, 30), which structures are connected bycrosspieces (31), and in that the area (32) between two crosspieces ispartly covered by cover elements (33) which are connected to at leastone of the said longitudinal band-shaped structures (29, 30) and/orcrosspieces (31) by a set of third web elements (34). 18) Blankaccording to any one of claims 7-17, characterized in that the planemetal sheet has a second end piece (35) which is intended to be shapedinto a second flange (36) which extends from the said web (8) in thesame direction as the said first flange (7), where the said second endpiece (35) has a set of slots (10) which run from an edge (11) presenton the second end piece to the said central piece (3). 19) Bent metalcurve element (40) for an endless chain conveying track (200), whichcurve element (40) is made from a blank (1) according to any one ofPatent claims 7-18, the curve element (40) comprising a support flange(7) intended to constitute a guide rail for a first side (211 c) ofchain elements (211) forming part of the chain conveying track (200),and a web (8) from which the said flange (7) extends, where said web (8)is intended to provide torsional rigidity in the curve element (40),characterized in that said flange (7) has a set of slots (10) which runfrom an edge (11) present on the end piece to the said central piece(3). 20) Curve unit (50) for an endless chain conveying track (200)comprising a first curve element (40) having a first support surface (7)intended to constitute a guide rail for a first side (211 c) of chainelements (211) forming part of the chain conveying track (200), a secondcurve element (51) having a second support surface (52) intended toconstitute a guide rail (53) for a second side of chain elements formingpart of the chain conveying track, and a bracket (56) which supports thesaid first and second support surfaces in a parallel manner to form acurved track (55), characterized in that at least the said first curveelement (40) consists of a bent metal curve element according to claim19, said first support surface (7) consisting of a first support flange(7) which extends from a web (8) of the bent metal curve element (40),where the first support flange (7) has a set of slots (10) which runfrom a first edge (11) present on the first flange (7) to the said firstweb (8). 21) Curve unit according to claim 20, characterized in that thesaid second curve element consists of a second bent metal curve elementaccording to claim 19, the second curve element comprising a secondsupport flange (7) intended to constitute a guide rail for a second side(211 d) of chain elements (211) forming part of the chain conveyingtrack, and a second web (8) from which the said second support flange(7) extends, where said second support flange (7) has a set of slots(10) which run from an edge (11) present on the second flange to thesaid second web, where the said first curve element has a convexlycurved web with the said first flange facing towards a centre ofcurvature of the said first web and the second bend element has a webwhich is mounted parallel to the said first web and also a second flangewhich faces towards the first flange, the said first and second flangesforming a track for chain elements forming part of the said chainconveying track. 22) Curve unit according to claim 20, characterized inthat the said second curve element (51) comprises a rotatably arrangedsupport surface (52) intended to constitute a guide rail for a secondside (211 d) of chain elements (211) forming part of the chain conveyingtrack, in that the first curve element (40) has a convexly curved web(8) with the said first flange (7) facing towards a centre of curvatureof the said first web, and in that the support surface (52) of thesecond curve element (51) is mounted coaxially with the said firstflange (7), the said first flange (7) and the support surface (52)forming a track (55) for supporting chain elements forming part of thesaid chain conveying track. 23) Bend unit according to any one of claims20-22, characterized in that the said bracket (56) consists of anessentially plane metal plate (57) made from thicker material than thesaid first bend element, and in that the said plane metal plate (57)bears a set of bent lugs (58, 59) to which the said first and secondbend elements (40, 51) are attached. 24) Endless chain conveying track(200) comprising a curve unit (50) and a conveying chain (211) whichruns through the said curve unit (50), characterized in that the curveunit is designed according to any one of Patent claims 20-23 andcomprises a first metal curve element (40) which comprises a firstsupport flange (7) which constitutes a guide rail for a first side (211c) of chain elements (211) forming part of the conveying chain, and afirst web (8) from which the said first support flange (7) extends,where the said first web is intended to provide torsional rigidity inthe first bend element, a second curve element (51) which has a secondsupport surface (52) which constitutes a guide rail (53) for a secondside of chain elements forming part of the conveying chain, and abracket (56) which supports the said first and second bend elements.